Exploding tire?!?

[li10up]

Yes, the problem was with the tire. Replacing the tube before the blowout would not have helped. You were correct to take the corners slowly, as suddenly being on the rim in a corner might possibly cause loss of traction. How old was the tire? If it was less than a year old and there is no evidence of damage by hitting something, I'd call it defective and return it to your LBS if possible.

The tire was less than a year old and only had about 1000 miles on it. I did have a nick in the tire (not the tube) that I had patched about 6 months ago but it was in a totally different spot, not even near where this one occured. It used to cause me to get slow leaks overnight. But after I patched the tire I didn't get any more flats. So I don't guess the LBS would replace it.

Could riding on a very rough road cause this? I HATE CHIP AND SEAL ROADS!!

[yellow]

Could riding on a very rough road cause this? I HATE CHIP AND SEAL ROADS!!

Probably not chip seal. I rode thousands of miles on this type of road and I think only got one flat in that area...and that was from a valve stem. And I typically ride pretty lightweight tires.

1000 miles can be a lot of miles depending upon the tire. Some of the lighter "racing" tires aren't all that durable. Still, most "standard" (for lack of a better term) tires out there should give you much more. But who knows...as MOB said, sometimes things like this just happen.

[DebW]

The tire was less than a year old and only had about 1000 miles on it. I did have a nick in the tire (not the tube) that I had patched about 6 months ago but it was in a totally different spot, not even near where this one occured. It used to cause me to get slow leaks overnight. But after I patched the tire I didn't get any more flats. So I don't guess the LBS would replace it.

Could riding on a very rough road cause this? I HATE CHIP AND SEAL ROADS!!

Bad roads shouldn't generally cause this. A tire should have enough tread and enough resilience to handle rough roads. Unless a substantial fraction of the tread is already worn off. Or the tire has aged and lost resilience. Impacts on rough roads are more likely to damage your rims than your tires, unless the tires are underpressured. Possibly a specific impact on a bad pothole or rock damaged some of the threads in that area and they eventually weakened to the breaking point.

[li10up]

Thanks for the replies. I guess it was just a weak spot in the tire. At least I feel better about what would happen if I was riding at the time of a blow-out.

[RoadRaven]

A tire should have enough tread and enough resilience to handle rough roads. Unless a substantial fraction of the tread is already worn off. Or the tire has aged and lost resilience.

I find it interesting to read this, Deb, having just posted to your question about your own tyre...

[annie]

When a tire explodes like that (BOOM!), it's a good idea to check your rim for true and round...... if it blows hard enough, it can actually cause some damage. Not common, but possible.

annie

[li10up]

When a tire explodes like that (BOOM!), it's a good idea to check your rim for true and round...... if it blows hard enough, it can actually cause some damage. Not common, but possible.

annie

After replacing the tire I spun it and it looks true and doesn't rub on the brake pads so I think the rim is okay. Thanks for letting me know that though...I wouldn't have thought of it.

[bcipam]

After replacing the tire I spun it and it looks true and doesn't rub on the brake pads so I think the rim is okay. Thanks for letting me know that though...I wouldn't have thought of it.

One reason the tire ripped/tore/exploded could be that you overinflate the tire. Keep in mind that while riding, use of brakes on tires will cause the tire to heat up, and the tube to expand. If the tire are already inflated to the maximum, say anything over 120 psi, then it is possible to cause the tube to expand and cause a tear in the tire, especially along the sidewall. Were you doing hills ( and downhills) the day the tire exploded? Try inflating your tire to 100 or 110 max. That should solve the problem.

[li10up]

One reason the tire ripped/tore/exploded could be that you overinflate the tire. Keep in mind that while riding, use of brakes on tires will cause the tire to heat up, and the tube to expand. If the tire are already inflated to the maximum, say anything over 120 psi, then it is possible to cause the tube to expand and cause a tear in the tire, especially along the sidewall. Were you doing hills ( and downhills) the day the tire exploded? Try inflating your tire to 100 or 110 max. That should solve the problem.

The tire was only inflated to 100 psi and I was riding mostly flat terrain - hadn't used the brakes much at all. The external part of the tire looked fine. It's still a mystery to me. Only thing I can think of is that the tire was defective on the inside. Thanks for your input though.